The carrier 'Abe Lincoln' and its screening force of nuclear subs and escorts is now parked outside Freemantle ostensibly for repairs.
The aircraft from the carrier will be honeing their bombing skills on an area of land 15kms from a large township much to the disgust of the inhabitants.

The task force was deliberatly turned back while on a course to its home port for a refit.

I believe it was a concious decision made by the American Administration to make it quite clear to the Oz public who is boss and how we are going to be used in future.
Or is it a portent of how close the Iraq invasion is?.

One more target for the present generation of Chinese/Korean missiles and much closer than the hallowed turf of America.
One more state to be added to the Stars and Stripes?.

It is a very unpopular visitation down here, and the task force commander knows it because shore leave has been unusually restricted.

Grin and bear it, thats all we can do.

Regards.......Alan

Could you link us to some local news articles, Alan? I think that might be helpful